15 C1 English Vocabulary Words You Should Know
Mastering C1 English vocabulary helps you express complex ideas with clarity and precision. This curated list features high-level words spanning finance, law, arts, and everyday communication. Adding these terms to your vocabulary will enhance both your academic writing and professional discussions.
The Words
| Word | Says like | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| bask v. | BASK | To lie relaxed in warmth and pleasant sunlight; metaphorically, to enjoy warm approval or glory. | The cat loved to bask in the warm afternoon sun. |
| coiffure n. | kwah-FYOOR | An elaborate or carefully arranged hairstyle. | She visited the salon to get an elegant coiffure for the wedding. |
| arrears n. | uh-REERZ | Money that is owed and should have been paid earlier. | He was behind on rent and needed to pay off his arrears. |
| tillage n. | TIL-idj | The preparation of land for growing crops by plowing, digging, or stirring. | Proper tillage helps farmers prepare the field before planting crops. |
| naturopathy n. | nay-cher-OP-uh-thee | A system of alternative medicine based on the theory that diseases can be successfully treated or prevented without the use of drugs, by techniques such as control of diet, exercise, and massage. | She studied naturopathy to learn how diet and natural remedies improve health. |
| bokeh n. | BOH-kay | The aesthetic quality of the blur produced in the out-of-focus parts of an image, especially as rendered by a particular lens. | The photographer created a soft bokeh in the background of the portrait. |
| abrasive adj., n. | uh-BRAY-siv | A substance or material used for grinding, polishing, or cleaning a hard surface by rubbing; harsh or rough in manner. | His abrasive personality made it hard for him to work in a team. |
| deposition n. | dep-uh-ZISH-un | A formal, written statement made for use as evidence in court, taken under oath prior to trial during discovery. | The witness gave a sworn deposition to the lawyers before the trial. |
| devolve v. | dih-VOLV | To transfer or delegate power, responsibility, or property to a lower level, especially from a central government to local or regional administration. | The central government decided to devolve decision-making power to local cities. |
| induct v. | in-DUHKT | To admit someone formally to a position or organization. | The committee will induct three new members into the club tonight. |
| damage control n. | DAM-ij kun-TROHL | Actions taken to minimize the negative effects of an undesirable event or situation. | The PR team started damage control as soon as the bad news leaked. |
| repatriation n. | ree-pay-tree-AY-shuhn | The return of someone (such as a refugee, prisoner of war, or migrant) or something (such as cultural artifacts) to their own country. | The museum agreed to the repatriation of the ancient art back to its home country. |
| acoustics n. | uh-KOO-stiks | The properties or qualities of a room or building that determine how sound is transmitted within it. | The acoustics in the new concert hall made the music sound amazing. |
| permafrost n. | PER-muh-frost | A thick subsurface layer of soil or rock that remains frozen continuously for two or more consecutive years. | Rising temperatures are melting the northern permafrost. |
| jubilee n. | JOO-bih-lee | A special anniversary of an event, especially one celebrating twenty-five or fifty years of a reign or activity. | The city held a grand parade to celebrate the queen's silver jubilee. |
A Memorable Town Celebration
At the town's golden jubilee, leaders gathered to discuss regional growth and future governance. The mayor announced a plan to devolve authority to local councils to improve public services. However, the treasurer faced budget challenges, including unpaid bills that remained in arrears. To prevent public panic, the media team performed swift damage control. Meanwhile, researchers in the northern province reported that thawing permafrost was disturbing traditional soil tillage and farming schedules. To solve these health and environmental problems, several residents began exploring naturopathy. Later that evening, community members gathered in a newly built hall known for its magnificent acoustics. A photographer recorded the event, capturing beautiful background bokeh behind every stylish coiffure. Before concluding the ceremony, officials promised to induct new leaders and facilitate the repatriation of historical relics to their native lands. Attendees then stepped outside into the evening to bask in the pleasant, celebratory atmosphere.
Common Usage
- Legal discovery proceedings and formal court testimony preparation.
- Corporate public relations strategy during an unexpected business crisis.
- Photography blogs explaining lens blur and depth-of-field techniques.
- Financial auditing reports focusing on overdue balances and debt recovery.
The Royal Jubilee Disaster
Synonyms & Antonyms
| Word | Synonym(s) | Antonym(s) |
|---|---|---|
| bask | lounge, revel | shiver |
| coiffure | hairstyle, updo | — |
| arrears | overdue payments, outstanding debt | prepayment, current payments |
| tillage | plowing | no-till |
| naturopathy | natural medicine | — |
| bokeh | blur | sharpness |
| abrasive | rough, harsh | gentle, lubricant |
| deposition | sworn testimony, affidavit | — |
| devolve | decentralize, transfer | centralize, consolidate |
| induct | admit, install | expel |
| damage control | mitigation, containment, remediation | escalation, neglect |
| repatriation | return | expatriation |
| acoustics | sound resonance | — |
| permafrost | permanently frozen ground | — |
| jubilee | anniversary | — |
Words People Confuse
- bask vs. bathe: Bathe involves immersion in liquid or light, whereas bask highlights absorbing sensory warmth or emotional praise.
- coiffure vs. coiffure vs coiffeur: Coiffure is the hairstyle itself; coiffeur is the hairdresser who creates it.
- arrears vs. default: 'Arrears' refers to overdue payments; 'default' is the formal failure to meet obligations, often after a period of arrears.
- tillage vs. cultivation: Cultivation is the whole process of tending the crop; tillage is specifically the soil preparation.
- naturopathy vs. homeopathy: Naturopathy is a broad system including diet and exercise; homeopathy is a specific method of using diluted substances.
- bokeh vs. out-of-focus: 'Out-of-focus' is a technical state of a lens, whereas 'bokeh' is the artistic character and appearance of that out-of-focus area.
- abrasive vs. corrosive: An abrasive wears down surfaces mechanically through physical friction, while a corrosive substance eats away material through chemical reactions.
- deposition vs. affidavit: An affidavit is a written statement sworn voluntarily, whereas a deposition involves cross-examination questions recorded by a stenographer.
- devolve vs. evolve: 'Evolve' means to develop gradually from a simple to a complex form (rolling forward), while 'devolve' means to pass power down (rolling down) or to degenerate.
- induct vs. initiate: Initiate often implies a secret or private ritual; induct is usually public and official.
- damage control vs. crisis management: Crisis management is the broader strategy for dealing with a crisis; damage control is the specific actions taken to lessen the negative impact after a crisis has occurred.
- repatriation vs. deportation: Deportation is the forced expulsion of an undesirable alien from a country, often punitive; repatriation is the act of returning someone to their homeland, ideally for their own benefit or protection.
- acoustics vs. acoustic: 'Acoustic' (adjective) means unamplified; 'acoustics' (noun) means room sound properties.
- permafrost vs. frost: Frost is thin surface ice crystals formed overnight, whereas permafrost is deep underground freezing over years.
- jubilee vs. centenary: A centenary is specifically a 100th anniversary.
Common Mistakes
✓ He had to pay his arrears on his electricity bill.
The term 'arrears' is almost always used as a plural noun when referring to overdue payments.
✓ The central team decided to devolve authority to regional managers.
Devolve means transferring power or duties to a lower authority, not simply declining in value.
✓ His abrasive tone upset several people in the room.
Abrasive means harsh, rough, or aggressive, rather than evasive or indirect.
Explore More
- referendum: This word connects well with political processes like 'devolve' and public governance.
- bureaucracy: It complements formal organizational terms such as 'induct' and 'arrears'.
- provenance: It links naturally to historical artifacts and topics like 'repatriation'.
- therapeutic: It builds logically on health-related terminology like 'naturopathy'.
FAQ
What does being 'in arrears' mean?
Being in arrears means that a payment is overdue or made after a service has already been provided.
How do you pronounce the photography term 'bokeh'?
It is pronounced 'BOH-kay', with the emphasis on the first syllable.
Can 'abrasive' describe physical items as well as human behavior?
Yes, 'abrasive' refers to rough materials used for scrubbing as well as a harsh, uncomplimentary personal manner.
What is the difference between 'devolve' and 'delegate'?
'Delegate' usually means assigning a specific task to someone, while 'devolve' involves shifting power or governance to a lower level permanently.
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